How the Geography of the Bible Illuminates God’s Word

Posted on Feb 27, 2020 Topic : Inspirational/Devotional, Men's Christian Living, Prophecy, Women's Christian Living
Posted by : Tony Evans

Climbing to the top of the Mount of Beatitudes involves some careful navigating of steep terrain. But the view from that height will take your breath away.

The serenely enchanting Sea of Galilee stretches out before you. Watching the play of light on the waves caused me to think about the biblical stories that took place on those waters. I couldn’t help but feel an overpowering sense of God’s presence and peace as I looked on the great body of water upon which Jesus once walked. I couldn’t help but feel the strength of His presence when I recalled the time He quieted a violent storm with just His words.

The “mountain” itself is more of a hillside. Formerly known as Mount Eremos, it lies between Capernaum and Tabgha. When you see the varied terrain that surrounds it, you quickly understand why

Matthew spoke of a mountain (5:1) and Luke spoke of more level ground (6:17). You could easily fit 100,000 individuals in this area without it feeling crowded. Thus, the audience of the Sermon on the Mount could be comfortably seated.

Not much has been built upon the mountain itself. It has been preserved, to a large degree, as it would have been in Jesus’ day. The most significant building, the Church of the Beatitudes, sits near the top and was built for Franciscan Sisters in 1938. The eight sides of the octagonal church symbolize each of the eight beatitudes Jesus taught.

Perhaps on this very spot Jesus offered us the single greatest summation of His teaching on life and love, the Sermon on the Mount. In this lengthy sermon that focused on the centrality and priority of God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33), Jesus spoke of the narrow gate of salvation, the fruit of true followers, the critical importance of obeying God’s will,and the need for a sure foundation. He also emphasized that external good works alone do not sanctify a person. God sees the heart and motive. Jesus urged us to remember these right-heart motives when He spoke of the blessings received for embracing the beatitudes, which include living with a poorness of spirit, mourning, being gentle, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, giving mercy, having a pure heart, preserving peace, and accepting persecution on His behalf.

These beatitudes illustrate what it looks like to live a life of love for Jesus as expressed in a heart of humility and surrender. May this sacred place and the words spoken here always remind us to serve God with a pure heart, love others unconditionally as He has loved us, and bring Him glory in all we do and say.